Donate to Food Outreach This Holiday Season and Give Back to the Community

Give back to those living with HIV/AIDS this holiday season by donating money, food or time to Food Outreach.

Founded in 1988, Food Outreach aims to provide nutrition to low-income people living with HIV/AIDS in midtown St. Louis. As of 2014, approximately 1,099 out of every 100,000 people in St. Louis were living with diagnosed HIV.

Most of Food Outreach’s clients live on an annual income under $17,600, placing them below the federal poverty level.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that good nutrition is vital for those living with HIV/AIDS because it helps with maintaining a healthy weight. Without a nutritious diet, medication will not be properly absorbed. Nutrition is a key factor in fighting the life-threatening illnesses.

Executive Director Julie Pole writes in a letter on Food Outreach’s website, “Food Outreach’s Board of Directors, the Red Aprons, and the individuals, families and groups who volunteer their time and work embody a group of about 700 people without whom we would have to close our doors.”

courtesy of Food Outreach (Facebook page)

courtesy of Food Outreach (Facebook page)

If donating money is the best option, Food Outreach provides a helpful breakdown of what your donation can do:

$62: provides client with two meals a day for a week

$124: provides client with two meals a day for two weeks

$300: covers hot Monday lunch for all clients in attendance

$496: provides client with two meals a day for two months

$992: provides client with two meals a day for four months

Canned food is always needed, particularly the following:

Tuna fish

Turkey

Chicken

Salmon

Corn

Green beans

Mixed vegetables

Mandarin oranges

Pineapple chunks

Peaches

Food Outreach also accepts non-traditional “in-kind donations” which they use in auctions to raise funds. These can include time at vacation homes or airline frequent flier miles.

For more information, contact Events and Marketing Manager Marcia Whelan at 314-652-3663 or marcia@foodoutreach.org.

If you’re looking to donate time, volunteer opportunities include working at the grocery center, assisting with food preparation, serving food at Hot Lunch Mondays, working office support, and much more.

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